In a major policy shift, the UK government has announced a sweeping plan to review and potentially shut down or restructure hundreds of arms-length public bodies, known as quangos, as part of the broader UK government quango reform. The move is designed to cut costs and boost productivity during what officials are calling “a new era of global instability.”
Quangos—quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations—are taxpayer-funded bodies that operate independently of direct ministerial control. These include major institutions like the Health and Safety Executive, Network Rail, and the Migration Advisory Committee.
The government said on Monday that every quango would be scrutinized. “Every quango across government will be reviewed, with a view to close, merge or bring functions back into departments if its continued existence cannot be justified,” it stated.
Economic Pressures and Global Instability Driving Urgent Reforms
Britain is currently under economic pressure, with Finance Minister Rachel Reeves seeking to adhere to fiscal rules while managing the impact of global challenges—including a recent slowdown in economic growth following tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The government emphasized that reforms need to go “further and faster,” citing an urgent need to streamline bureaucracy and improve state function in light of global instability.
NHS England Scrapped as Part of Initial Reform Steps
Last month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced one of the first significant steps in the reform plan: the dissolution of NHS England. The functions of the health system oversight body will be reintegrated into the Department of Health and Social Care, a move aimed at saving hundreds of millions of pounds.
This decision is seen as a model for further integration or elimination of quangos that no longer serve a clear, essential function.
Some Agencies to Remain Unaffected
Despite the aggressive overhaul, the government clarified that certain public bodies will remain intact—particularly those responsible for holding government accountable or upholding the rule of law.
The reforms are expected to trigger intense debate, especially around the future role of semi-independent institutions and the balance between efficiency and oversight.
